Chronological picture frame

ABSTRACT

The chronological picture frame includes a plurality of picture windows arranged in a geometric pattern. Each picture window is dimensioned to display a photograph image or the like. Smaller chronological identification windows are disposed immediately beneath each corresponding picture window. Each smaller window is adapted to display indicia indicating a time period (age, year, season, etc.) related to the photograph in the immediate picture window. A single label window is centered at the top of the frame and is adapted to display the name or other relevant information relative to the subject of the display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to display apparatus, and more particularly to a chronological picture frame that provides a multi-window picture frame for displaying photographs and includes adjunct windows for displaying indicia that pertains to chronological data relative to the photographs.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of photographs to preserve and display personal milestones is common throughout the modern world. Millions of dollars are spent annually to purchase cameras, film, frames and other photographic-related paraphernalia. Many families and individuals prefer to display photographs in some sort of sequential arrangement. For example, the display of an offspring's photographs taken periodically from birth through high school or college graduation; athletic team photographs taken periodically over a four year period; photographs of family vacations taken over a designated period are some of the events that one would desire to display.

Heretofore, commercially available devices have not adequately displayed the photographs in a manner that would include enough data to identify the photographs and the time period when the photographs were taken. Too often, faulty memories must be relied upon to supply the missing data. The photographic industry would certainly welcome a frame that is designed to easily incorporate the above parameters for display. Thus, a chronological picture frame solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The chronological picture frame has a plurality of picture windows arranged in a geometric pattern. Each window is dimensioned to display a photograph or the like. Smaller chronological identification windows are disposed immediately beneath each corresponding picture window. Each smaller window is adapted to display indicia indicating a time period (age, year, season, etc.) related to the photograph in the corresponding picture window. A single label window is centered at the top of the frame and is adapted to display the name or other relevant information relative to the subject of the display.

Accordingly, the invention presents a unique frame that enables a user to arrange a sequential and chronological display of photographs or the like pertaining to almost any subject. The display is easily mounted in the frame and includes means for displaying indicia pertinent to the time period related to a particular photograph. The frame can be wall- or table-mounted in a conventional manner. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a chronological picture frame according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing one picture window and its corresponding chronological identification window in a chronological picture frame according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a chronological picture frame according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is directed to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, wherein the chronological frame is generally indicated at 10. Frame 10 comprises rear member 12 and a front face member 14 removably mounted on the rear member 12. Rear member 12 presents a planar surface wherein front face member 14 consists of multiple cut out portions forming windows 16, 18 and 20. Rear member 12 and front face member 14 can be fabricated from any suitable material (compressed paper board, wood, metal, molded plastic, glass, etc.).

The plurality of picture windows 16 disposed in the front face member 14 are adapted to display photographs or the like of a particular subject. The photographs will be arranged in a sequential chronological order for display. As indicated above the subject chosen for such display could be sequential photographs of almost any subject that a user might want to display in a chronological array.

Corresponding small chronological identification windows 1 8 are positioned immediately below each picture window 16. Windows 18 are adapted to display chronological data (time, date, age, etc.) relative to the subject displayed in the photograph.

A single label window 20 is positioned adjacent the upper end of front face member 14 preferably at a central area thereof. Window 20 is adapted to display indicia that indicate the name or title of the subject being displayed.

Although the frame and windows are illustrated in rectangular configurations and the windows arranged in a grid-like pattern, it is recognized and contemplated herein that other configurations (oval, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.) and arrangements (circular, triangular, etc.) can be utilized if desired. The frame can be fabricated in various sizes with varying window counts to accommodate the differing needs of consumers. Also, it is contemplated that the chronological picture frame 10 can be implemented to in electronic media using digital multi-image frames.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A chronological picture frame, comprising: a planar rear member having an upper end and a lower end; a front face member having an upper end and a lower end, the front face member being coextensive with the rear member and overlying the rear s member; a plurality of picture windows formed in the front face member, the first plurality of windows being adapted to display photographs therein; and a plurality of chronological identification windows positioned below and corresponding to the picture windows, the chronological identification windows being adapted to display indicia chronologically related to the photographs displayed in the corresponding picture windows.
 2. The chronological picture frame according to claim 1, wherein each said picture window has a larger area than its chronological identification window.
 3. The chronological picture frame according to claim 1, further including a single window positioned adjacent the upper end of said front face member and above said picture windows, said single window being adapted to display indicia related to the subject of the photographs displayed in said picture windows.
 4. The chronological picture frame according to claim 1, wherein said picture windows are arranged in a geometrical pattern.
 5. The chronological picture frame according to claim 1, wherein said rear member and said front face member are fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of compressed paper board, wood, metal, molded plastic and glass.
 6. A chronological picture frame, comprising: a planar rear member having an upper end and a lower end; a front face member having an upper end and a lower end, the front face member being coextensive with the rear member and overlying the rear member; a plurality of picture windows formed in the front face member, each of the picture windows defining an area dimensioned to display photographs therein; a plurality of corresponding chronological identification windows formed in the front face member, each of the chronological identification windows defining an area, the area of each chronological identification window being dimensioned to display indicia chronologically related to the photographs displayed in the corresponding picture windows, each of the chronological identification windows being positioned immediately below the corresponding picture window.
 7. The chronological picture frame according to claim 6, wherein said picture windows have larger areas than said chronological identification windows.
 8. The chronological picture frame according to claim 7, further including a single window positioned adjacent the upper end of said front face member and above said picture windows, said single window being adapted to display indicia related to the subject of the photographs displayed in said picture windows.
 9. The chronological picture frame according to claim 7, wherein said picture windows are arranged in a geometrical pattern.
 10. The chronological picture frame according to claim 7, wherein said rear member and said front face member are fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of compressed paper board, wood, metal, molded plastic and glass.
 11. A chronological picture frame, comprising a display page having: a plurality of picture windows dimensioned and configured for displaying photographic images therein; and a plurality of chronological identification windows, each of the picture windows having a corresponding one of chronological identification windows immediately adjacent the picture window, the chronological identification window being dimensioned and configured for displaying chronological data corresponding to a subject shown in the photographic images; wherein each of the picture windows and each of the chronological identification windows on the display page are adapted for displaying and identifying successive chronological photographic images of the same subject.
 12. The chronological picture frame according to claim 11, further comprising photographic images displayed in a plurality of the picture windows.
 13. The chronological picture frame according to claim 12, wherein said photographic images are displayed on photographic paper.
 14. The chronological picture frame according to claim 12, wherein said photographic images are displayed in electronic format.
 15. The chronological picture frame according to claim 12, further comprising a label window disposed on the display page, the label window having indicia displayed therein identifying the subject of the photographic images displayed on the display page. 